Vladimir Klitschko KO's Hasim Rahman

World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko had few problems defending his
WBO and IBF belts on Saturday with a technical knock-out of United States
challenger Hasim Rahman in the seventh round.

Down and out: Vladimir Klitschko beat Hasim Rahman on a technical knockout less than a minute into the seventh round in Photo: REUTERS

By Telegraph staff and agencies

11:26PM GMT 13 Dec 2008

Klitschko, known as Dr Steelhammer, needed just 44 seconds of the seventh as he used his powerful jab to impressive effect before the referee was forced to intervene to stop Rahman taking any further punishment.

"I am happy to have won this fight, especially so soon before Christmas," said Klitschko.

"It wasn't easy, but I just want to enjoy Christmas and New Year and then we will work on the plan for next year."

The champion had been due to face Alexander Povetkin here, but a training injury ruled the Russian out and former champion Rahman, 'The Rock' from Baltimore, stepped in as a late replacement - but he was out-classed.

The 36-year-old, who pulled off the boxing shock of the year in 2001 when he knocked out reigning WBC, IBF and IBO champion Lennox Lewis, was marked from a Klitschko punch as early as the second round.

He spent most of the third on the ropes and rarely threatened the champion.

Klitschko, 32, had spent the last six weeks in Majorca training for the fight and picked his punches carefully with his left jab was a constant source of punishment for Rahman.

The champion had the American on the canvas in the sixth round with a series of jabs before the powerful right fist caught the challenger on the chin and although Rahman survived the count, he was obviously struggling from then on.

It was a huge left to the side of the face which ended the fight early in the seventh.

The champion Klitschko has now won 52 of his 54 professional fights with 46 knock-outs, while for Rahman this was the seventh defeat in his 55th fight, who has won 45 fights with 36 knock-outs and lost six times.

Along with his brother and WBC champion Witali, the Klitschko brothers from Kiev aim to dominate the heavyweight division and Vladimir, who holds the IBF, WBO and IBO titles, has said he has big plans for next year.

Between them the brothers hold four world titles and the obvious target is the WBA belt.

The winner of the Holyfield-Valuev fight must then face ex-world champion Ruslan Chagaev in the new year and whichever of the three ends up with the WBA title is sure to be offered a fight against one of the Klitschko brothers.

But Britain's David Haye who beat Monte Barrett in a WBC heavyweight eliminator last month, was ringside and told Witali Klitschko after the fight he wants to fight either of the brothers in the next year.

"I want to fight the best in this division and it doesn't bother me which of you it is," said the 28-year-old Londoner.